SIR GILBERT PARKERI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether anyone has been appointed to take the position of Superintendent or Controller of the Native Health Department for the Transvaal, from which Dr. C. Lane Sansom was lately retrenched; and whether, in view of the results produced by Dr. Sansom in reducing native mortality and in bettering the condition of the natives in the mines, this Government is satisfied that the abolition of his appointment, made upon grounds of economy, is in the best interests of that native population for whose well-being, under the constitution of the Transvaal, it is directly responsible.
§ COLONEL SEELYI am not aware of the arrangements which the Transvaal Government have made or propose to make in consequence of Dr. Sansom's retrenchment, but I have no reason to suppose that the Transvaal will fail to maintain a high standard of administration, and, therefore, trust that the health of the natives will receive no less attention than during Dr. Sansom's tenure of office.
§ LORD R. CECIL (Marylebone, E.)Will the Government, in view of the special obligations resting upon them in 1131 respect to native labour, make inquiries what the Transvaal Government intend to do?
§ COLONEL SEELYThe Secretary of State has made inquiries, and it is for that reason I have been able to make the statement contained in the last part of my Answer.
§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)Is there any doctor at present attending to the natives?
§ COLONEL SEELYYes; the district doctors are in attendance. Dr. Sansom had general supervision. May I here add that the Colonial Office and the Transvaal Government fully appreciate the excellent services which be rendered?